Per Mertesacker is being linked with a future coaching role at Arsenal.

The Mirror says bringing back a big-name former player - Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have both been linked - to work alongside Wenger would be a hugely popular move. But whether he would accept that is another matter.

Freddie Ljungberg is another very highly thought-of but is just starting out and has gone to Wolfsburg with former Gunners academy boss Andries Jonker, while there is some regret that Mikel Arteta was allowed to slip away to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Defender and long-time captain Mertesacker has all the hallmarks of a future manager further down the line.